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Author
Topic: daughter's kidney function (Read 1783 times)

My daughter had HIV for approximately 19 yes and on ARV's for 9 yrs. She is a moderate smoker and drinker and has had several UTI'S over the past 2 years. She has also taken ibuprofen almost daily for last 2 months. She only has one monogamous relationship.also takes lithium and a couple of other drugs for sleep and depression. Her meds were truvada, norvir and prezista. But now e!psicon has replaced the truvada. She has been vomiting frequently and can only eat a tiny bbit of food. Also recently, she found out her kidney function was abnormal. I worry about all these drugs and wonder if she should get off the lithium. Also worry about the smoking and drinking. I wish she could live like a monk, but that's a tall order.. does anyone have expertise and could give some feedback. Would appreciate it very much..

She has been vomiting frequently and can only eat a tiny bbit of food.

This sounds serious. Her ID doc needs to know this ASAP. FWIW, she could be having a bad reaction to Epzicom. Nausea and vomiting are two of several symptoms of negative reactions to Epzicom. Her ID doc would have tested her for possible genetic negative reaction to Epzicom, but she could still be sensitive to it in other ways.

I worry about all these drugs and wonder if she should get off the lithium.

If your daughter is Bipolar, then she has been prescribed lithium for a very good reason. Taking her off lithium could have far worse consequences for her (ie. she would become mentally unstable to the point she would not take her HIV regimen.)

If she has been prescribed lithium for depression alone, there could be many other drugs that would be far more effective. All the same, her dropping/changing any med in her routine must be analyzed first as to the negative effect it would have on her quality of life. Only if there are better options that fit her personal needs, should she switch.

Also worry about the smoking and drinking. I wish she could live like a monk, but that's a tall order.

Spoken like a loving mother.

But, mom, your daughter is now an adult. Time for you to see her as an adult, not the child who once needed your ever-vigilant guidance. You want her to be independent, then you have to accept she's not always going to make the decisions you want her to make, when you want her to make them. She'll make them when she's good and ready to, not a moment before. You can either fill that time between now and then by being annoying, or being loving. Your choice.

When we first found out she had HIV (her cd4 was about 32) and VL off the charts, I came to this forum and got good advice. Thanks so much for your replies. She is doing much better now and the nausea is gone and she is eating. Maybe we'll know more after she talks to her ID clinic tomorrow, I just panicked.